About “Dokuchaev’s readings”
The decision of holding the annual conference “Dokuchaev’s readings” was made at the meeting of the Department of Soil Science and Soil Ecology of the St. Petersburg State University in 1997. Initiative was supported by the Academic Council of the Faculty of Biology and Soil Science (St. Petersburg State University) and the Bureau of CA Soil Science Society of the V.V. Dokuchaev (Moscow). The first «Dokuchaev’s readings» were held on March 1-3 in 1998.
About 5 000 people from more than 200 universities and research institutes participated during the existence of “Dokuchaev’s ridings”.
Purposes of the conference are to develop interest among students and young scientists in systematic research and experimental activities, to encourage the practical application of knowledge and testing of data obtained as a result of research work; to involve schoolchildren in research work on the study of soils, agricultural chemistry, ecological problems, and the environment.
Tasks of the conference are to test students and PhD students of various universities and scientific organizations in Russia and other countries with their own materials scientific research in the field of soil science and related sciences; to exchange of experience between organizations from different regions of Russia and foreign countries; to attract the attention of schoolchildren to problems related to soils and their condition, their importance in ensuring a comfortable human life, and to foster an attitude of care towards nature; to attract schoolchildren and students, including nonresident and foreign students, to entrance in “Soil Science” and other programs of the Institute of Earth Sciences of the St. Petersburg State University in the framework of career guidance activities, to preserve of the authority of the St. Petersburg State University as the organizer of a major scientific Forum in the field of soil science for school children, students, PhD students and young scientists; to exchange experience and familiarize students and young scientists with research results; to create an educational environment in the professional development of a specialist; to develop of interregional and international cooperation and networking between schoolchildren, students and young scientists; to gain experience in organizing and holding major scientific events of the International level by students, young scientists and specialists; to improve additional ecological and biological education for children, exchange experience and familiarize themselves with the results of research work (project activities) of students.
A feature of the Dokuchaev’s readings is that the organization of the conference is carried out by a youth organizing committee consisting of students, PhD students, graduates of the Department of Soil Science and Soil Ecology of the St. Petersburg State University, young scientists of the Dokuchaev Central Soil Science Museum – branch of FSBSI FRC V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute and other Institutes. This approach enables young professionals to gain experience in organization of scientific events.
The Department of Soil Science and Soil Ecology of the St. Petersburg State University was founded in 1922 at the Department of Agronomy and is a part of the Dokuchaev’s scientific and pedagogical school of fundamental soil science. Today, it is equipped with modern instruments and equipment and trains soil scientists at three educational levels: Bachelor's programme, Master's programme, Post Graduate Programme. There are 5 doctors and 1 PHD at the department.
The opening of the Dokuchaev Readings is traditionally held in the Assembly Hall of the St. Petersburg State University, where in 1883 V.V. Dokuchaev brilliantly defended his doctoral thesis “Russian Chernozem,” which marked the birth of the new science “Soil Science.”
A special school section is held in the Dokuchaev Central Soil Science Museum in the context of the conference.
The new exhibition is opened in the Museum for each conference.
On the first day of the conference after the Plenary session, the participants place flowers on the grave of V.V. Dokuchaev at the Smolensk cemetery.
Organizers of the conference: Saint Petersburg State University, Dokuchaev Central Soil Science Museum, Dokuchaev Society of Soil Science, Interregional CSO “Nature protection union”
Support for the conference provides:
- St. Petersburg State University
- V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute
Conference is covered by mass media (radio, television).
